The BMW Group is taking the occasion of this year\u2019s Concorso d\u2019Eleganza Villa d\u2019Este to unveil the recreation of the BMW Garmisch, a classic concept car that was designed by Marcello Gandini for Bertone and vanished after its debut at the Geneva Motor Show in 1970. With the newly created car, BMW pays respect to one of Italy\u2019s most influential car designers and adds an exciting chapter to the company\u2019s history. \u201cMarcello Gandini to me is one of the grandmasters of car design and his cars always have been an important source of inspiration for my work\u201d, says Adrian van Hooydonk, Senior Vice President of BMW Group Design, who has been intrigued by the BMW Garmisch since he first discovered a faded period picture of the car some years ago. \u201cBuilding the BMW Garmisch for a second time gave us the opportunity to pay tribute to Mr. Gandini, recall one of his lesser-known cars and highlight Bertone\u2019s stylistic influence on the evolution of BMW design. For me, that alone was reason enough to do this project \u2013 filling in the gaps and completing BMW\u2019s history.\u201d<\/p>\n<\/div>
![\"Marcello](\"http:\/\/autodesignmagazine.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/05\/2019052504_BMW_Garmisch.jpg\")
<\/a><\/span><\/div>Marcello Gandini & Adrian van Hooydonk per Auto&Design<\/p>\n<\/div>
Since the early days of the brand, BMW has been inspired and influenced by Italian design and coachbuilding culture. From the lightweight aluminium BMW 328 Mille Miglia created at Carrozzeria Touring in the late 1930s to the wedge-shaped BMW M1 designed by Giorgetto Giugiaro, there has always been a vital exchange of concepts and ideas across the Alps. And just like many other Italian show cars of the 1960s and 1970s, the original BMW Garmisch was developed by Bertone as an independent design proposal intended to demonstrate the studio\u2019s creativity. \u201cThe original idea came from Nuccio Bertone himself who wanted to consolidate our existing relationship with BMW by designing a surprise show car for the Geneva Motor Show\u201d, remembers Marcello Gandini, who was in charge of Bertone\u2019s design department at the time. \u201cWe wanted to create a modern mid-sized coupe that was faithful to BMW\u2019s design language, but that was also more dynamic and even a bit provocative.\u201d While the side profile of the car was very sleek and clean, the most distinctive design feature of the BMW Garmisch was its bold, vertical and almost angular variation of BMW\u2019s kidney-shaped radiator grill, which was flanked by square glass-covered headlights. Other unusual details included sports car-like louvres on the C-pillars and the honeycomb-patterned mesh cover for the rear window \u2013 a trademark element of Marcello Gandini\u2019s style. Although the car was created in just a couple of months, the design team did not let the opportunity pass to give the interior their special treatment as well. With its rather unusual vertical radio on the center console, a lavish fold-out mirror for the passenger and a flamboyant mix of colours and materials, the BMW Garmisch added an elegant Piemontese twist to the rather functional interior design habits of the time.<\/p>\n<\/div>